Is Ravens' Steve Smith Sr. rethinking retirement?

Could Steve Smith Sr. return for an encore in 2016? Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Baltimore Ravens would love to have Steve Smith Sr. return for one more season. The answer he gave to the most recent inquiry about his pending retirement may lead some to believe that Smith might be rethinking his decision.

"I'm just trying to make it to the airport today, and you're talking about retirement," Smith said via Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com as he prepared for the team's cross-country flight to San Francisco on Friday. "I'm just taking one day at a time. I'm just trying to be able to get myself together to get ready to play the next game."

Smith may have been too worried about his back tightening up on the long flight to give an honest answer, but the absence of firm yes or no leaves some room for doubt to hopeful Ravens fans. Smith has been the team's most reliable weapon 36 catches for 510 yards and three touchdowns, including a 137-yard effort in Sunday's loss to San Francisco. The 15-year veteran wasn't even sure if he would be able to play leading up to the game thanks to the four microfractures in his back that caused him to miss Week 5 against Cleveland.

The 36-year-old Smith signed a three-year contract prior to the 2014 season. Baltimore and Joe Flacco would certainly love to see him play it out in its entirety.